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archiveofrasa's review
emotional
informative
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
a YA story that delves into the immigrant experience and involving the intricacies of disabilities too? count me the fuck in. while I'm not an American immigrant and am not Latine, the experiences where very real and I could definitely understand the complexity. Ver贸nica was a really interesting narrative to follow and it is always nice to read about a particular disability written by someone who has that disability. her strong interest in mermaids was really fun and unique (in my opinion) and intergrating her own culture's folklore into it was so nice !!! despite not being Latine, the way her parents act is very similar to how South Asians act and I similarly felt the same frustration she felt. also her experience of wanted to be treated normally and not singled out (negatively or positively) was really well done.
my main criticisms lie in my personal opinions and what more I wanted. I loved Alex but how their relationship developed was a little insta-lovey; wanted more development from them! Ver贸 is also a little self-centred, which is very understandable considering everything she has been through, I just wish we got a little more room to discuss that with Dani and elaborate on the nuances of this situation. there was some really nice prose scattered around in the story that I ended up highlighting, but overall it did read very easily, fitting for YA, made me realise I'm expecting more from YA than I should 馃槶
my main criticisms lie in my personal opinions and what more I wanted. I loved Alex but how their relationship developed was a little insta-lovey; wanted more development from them! Ver贸 is also a little self-centred, which is very understandable considering everything she has been through, I just wish we got a little more room to discuss that with Dani and elaborate on the nuances of this situation. there was some really nice prose scattered around in the story that I ended up highlighting, but overall it did read very easily, fitting for YA, made me realise I'm expecting more from YA than I should 馃槶
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming and Ableism
Moderate: Misogyny and Sexism
there is a content warning at the beginning, please read through it before you read!modernmatilda's review
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
This book is full of heart and will forever be on my list of book recommendations, especially if you're looking for a wonderful summer read with disability rep, Peruvian-American rep, and a fierce female lead who is just so pure and good. Wonderful intersectional discussions about immigration, family obligations, disability access, representation, ableism, healthy first romances, and so much more.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Chronic illness, Ableism, and Medical content
Minor: Toxic relationship and Sexism
this_momma_is_booked's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Natalia once again gifted us with a book that so perfectly captures the Latinx experience, particularly when you are raised in the US by immigrants (even if you are one as well). Vero hits the nail on the head so many times when she expresses how torn she feels about her identity, wondering if she's Latinx enough (spoiler: you always are) or "too American." Her battle with her parents to live her life on her terms is something I feel so deeply as I had the same battle. Vero has the added challenge of living with a disability but trying so hard to not be defined by it - a struggle so many people live with.
I really loved how each chapter started with the definitions - words are so fluid that even though they have a dictionary definition, they can mean something different or more when put into the context of our lives.
I would definitely recommend if you ever felt teen angst because there's lots of that here! I really enjoyed this book and can't wait to see what else Natalie gives us.
I really loved how each chapter started with the definitions - words are so fluid that even though they have a dictionary definition, they can mean something different or more when put into the context of our lives.
I would definitely recommend if you ever felt teen angst because there's lots of that here! I really enjoyed this book and can't wait to see what else Natalie gives us.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Medical content, and Body shaming
Moderate: Sexual assault
Minor: Racism
bekkasbookclub's review
informative
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This book was so beautifully written! I loved the imagery Sylvester created when she described Ver贸nica swimming and the release she felt from her pain. As someone who does not have hip dysplasia, I could feel her pain while reading along. Ver贸nica seemed like such a well developed character, even though she was just a teenager. I also loved the realness of Ver贸nica's relationship with her overprotective parents. This was something that wholeheartedly resonated with me and my upbringing. I could feel the frustration Ver贸nica felt when she was just trying to figure out who she is and what she wanted to do instead of doing what her parents wanted. The romance aspect in this book was sweet, and I loved that it touched on mental health in young adults. Overall, I think was a beautiful story discussing disabilities. It was absolutely captivating and I could really see this being a limited series or movie. I would suggest this to anyone who loves YA, wants to see disability representation, or loves descriptive water imagery.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Medical content, Ableism, and Body shaming
caseythereader's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
Thanks to Books Forward PR for the free copy of this book.
- BREATHE AND COUNT BACK FROM TEN is a gorgeous book. It tackles so many topics, from immigration to ableism, and never feels overstuffed.
- This book really digs in to how disabled people are often treated as if they are not the experts on their own bodies. Ver贸nica spends so much time telling adults what she is capable of, and they continue to try to make decisions about her body without her.
- BREATHE AND COUNT BACK FROM TEN is a gorgeous book. It tackles so many topics, from immigration to ableism, and never feels overstuffed.
- This book really digs in to how disabled people are often treated as if they are not the experts on their own bodies. Ver贸nica spends so much time telling adults what she is capable of, and they continue to try to make decisions about her body without her.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol, Medical content, Ableism, and Body shaming
Moderate: Mental illness, Sexual assault, and Racism
amberlfaris's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Ableism and Sexual assault
Hip dysplasia, coming of age, Latinx parents, bodily autonomyleahrosiee's review against another edition
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Medical content and Medical trauma
Moderate: Emotional abuse and Ableism
Minor: Sexual assault and Body shaming
mmccombs's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
4.0
This is a book that makes me so excited about young adult lit and the wonderful new stories that young folks get to read! This was a very warm novel that powerfully reflected on consent, ownership of our own bodies, and the impact of disability and culture on identity. While I sometimes felt things got quite repetitive, the musings Ver贸nica has on her relationship to her body and to her family and friends were so compelling and made me think of all the ways young adulthood (especially when disability, immigration status, and ableism are in the mix) can render you out of control of your body and your choices. I鈥檓 also a sucker for mermaid content (don鈥檛 we all have a secret mermaid nook in our brains??) so that was really fun to include. Highly recommend this book for a cozy story and really beautiful messages!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness, Sexual harassment, Body shaming, Medical content, Medical trauma, and Ableism
bgoodbookclub's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.5
Read for Bad Bitch Book Club's Patreon Book of the Moment.
I wish YA like this existed when I was in high school! None of the books I read in high school touched on immigration or disability and I'm so glad the world is changing! I would have loved this book as a teen and I'm so glad that it's out there for teens now.
As an adult, I still love the book. I loved the storyline of becoming a mermaid, loved Alex as a romantic interest, loved Leslie as a best friend, everything. I know very little about hip dysplasia and Veronica's journey really taught me more.
I would definitely recommend this book to all ages!
I wish YA like this existed when I was in high school! None of the books I read in high school touched on immigration or disability and I'm so glad the world is changing! I would have loved this book as a teen and I'm so glad that it's out there for teens now.
As an adult, I still love the book. I loved the storyline of becoming a mermaid, loved Alex as a romantic interest, loved Leslie as a best friend, everything. I know very little about hip dysplasia and Veronica's journey really taught me more.
I would definitely recommend this book to all ages!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Ableism
Minor: Sexual assault and Sexual harassment